Fifth Oath Achieves Secondary Divine Attribute

[Confused]

It’s been more than five years since I wrote about the difference between Radiants’ primary and secondary divine attributes. I concluded then that spren of an order are attracted to humans who exhibit that order’s primary attribute. I theorized the spren bond leads the Radiants to their secondary attribute but didn’t go into detail.

A few days ago, in a very long post on many topics, I wrote about the impact of oaths on Radiant organization. I opined the Radiant’s Fifth Oath means they achieved their secondary attribute. That’s when they fully merge with their spren. This post puts more flesh on that conclusion.

Here’s the list of each order’s primary and secondary divine attributes:

Order                                            Primary Attribute                         Secondary Attribute

Windrunners                                 Protecting                                       Leading

Skybreakers                                 Just                                                 Confident

Dustbringers                                 Brave                                              Obedient

Edgedancers                                Loving                                             Healing

Truthwatchers                               Learned                                          Giving

Lightweavers                                Creative                                          Honest

Elsecallers                                    Wise                                               Careful

Willshapers                                   Resolute                                         Builder

Stonewards                                   Dependable                                   Resourceful

Bondsmiths                                   Pious                                              Guiding

The secondary attribute seems a more outward-looking, “uniting” version of the primary attribute. The primary attribute is about the Radiant. The secondary attribute is about how the Radiant should act toward others. It’s like the difference between first person (me) and second person (you).

Windrunners better protect when they lead others.

Skybreakers seem more just when they’re confident in their judgment.

Dustbringer bravery (and hotheadedness) better serves when they’re obedient.

Edgedancer love finds meaning in healing.

Truthwatcher learning has meaning when given to share.

Lightweaver creativity requires self- and artistic honesty.

Elsecallers should temper their wisdom with care. (Jasnah “wisely” concluding to kill the Heralds...)

Willshaper resolve makes them foundation builders.

Stoneward dependability leads to resourcefulness. (Get the job done no matter what.)

Bondsmith piety attracts followers to guide.

This framework shows oaths bridge the gap between primary and secondary attributes. Each oath brings the Radiant closer to their secondary attribute. When they achieve it, the Radiant can say the Fifth Oath and merge Spiritual aspects with their spren.

[Use the Falchion]

Oh I like this! Cool idea!

[Alderant she/her]

Not to throw soil on a budding fire, but keep in mind that many of these comparisons are in-world, religious assignments rather than actual aspects of the people in the orders. Some may embody those aspects (such as Kaladin being protective and a leader), but as with any in-world idea, take it with a grain of salt that what they understand in-world isn't necessarily what it actually is.

[Calderis he/him]

I honestly don't think it will be this formulaic. 

For every Surgebinder to attract a spren for the same reason and reach for the exact same end goal would mean that you would be putting every member of an order on a path to experience the same journey. 

I think that it will be far more individual than that. 

[Bookish Ocelot she/her]

On 6/3/2019 at 2:34 PM, Alderant said:

Not to throw soil on a budding fire, but keep in mind that many of these comparisons are in-world, religious assignments rather than actual aspects of the people in the orders. Some may embody those aspects (such as Kaladin being protective and a leader), but as with any in-world idea, take it with a grain of salt that what they understand in-world isn't necessarily what it actually is.

Vorinism follows the ten heralds, who were originally the leaders of the orders of Knights Radiant. It stands to reason that the Heralds would continue to be associated with the attributes of their respective Orders. 

My thought is that each oath sworn (after the first) starts to bridge the gap between the attributes. Or it could be that the first two are for one attribute, and the second two for the other. 

[Alderant she/her]

32 minutes ago, BookishOcelot said:

Vorinism follows the ten heralds, who were originally the leaders of the orders of Knights Radiant. It stands to reason that the Heralds would continue to be associated with the attributes of their respective Orders. 

My thought is that each oath sworn (after the first) starts to bridge the gap between the attributes. Or it could be that the first two are for one attribute, and the second two for the other. 

My only point was that such a rigid, black and white outlook on the Orders leaves very little room for flexibility, and as @Calderis point out, locks characters into a singular progression path per Order. Brandon himself has said these are in-world concepts and not necessarily indicative of how things actually work. Further, Vorinism involved a lot of revisionism and reductive history. I would absolutely never take Vorinism as a sole valid source because of this--and there are in-world characters who wouldnt either. As I said, take it with a grain of salt.